HC Deb 01 August 1978 vol 955 cc244-5
10. Mr. Hooley

asked the Secretary of State for Employment how many vacancies exist for instructors in skillcentres in the Yorkshire and Humberside region; and how this figure compares with other regions in England.

Mr. Harold Walker

I am informed by the Manpower Services Commission that there are currently 21 immediate vacancies for skillcentre instructors in the Yorkshire and Humberside region. There are 120 immediate vacancies in the remaining six regions of England.

Mr. Hooky

I am obliged to my hon. Friend for that information. Is he aware that there is a serious under-use of skill-centres, and that part of that derives from the lack of success in recruiting instructors? What is my hon. Friend doing to look at the pay scales and conditions of service for instructors to put this right?

Mr. Walker

My hon. Friend raised this at Question Time last month, since when I have looked carefully at the pay scales and to what extent they may be a deterrent in recruitment. I do not think that they are. I think the pay scales compare fairly with comparable occupations in industry and with comparable occupations in colleges of further education.

I do not think that is the reason. The real reason for the shortage of instructors has been the rapid expansion of skill-centres and the sharp increase in demand for instructors.